HD 114533

HD 114533 is a G-type main-sequence star located approximately 253 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. It is notable for possessing a close-in exoplanet, HD 114533 b, a rocky, disintegrating planet that orbits the star with an extremely short period of approximately 0.2 days.

The star itself is similar in size and temperature to our Sun, though slightly more evolved. Its apparent magnitude is around 7.6, making it too faint to be seen with the naked eye.

The disintegrating planet, HD 114533 b, has been observed transiting the star, meaning it passes in front of the star as viewed from Earth. This transit is characterized by a variable and asymmetric light curve, indicative of a cloud of dust and debris trailing the planet as it is slowly destroyed by the star's radiation. The debris field creates a variable transit depth, making the determination of the planet's size and density difficult.

Observations of the system have provided valuable insights into the processes of planetary disintegration and the formation of debris disks around stars. The study of HD 114533 b and its associated debris offers a unique opportunity to understand the late stages of planetary evolution and the fate of exoplanets under intense stellar irradiation. Further research is ongoing to better characterize the planet's composition, orbital dynamics, and the nature of the dust and gas in its debris tail.